Digital image analysis of liver collagen predicts clinical outcome of recurrent hepatitis C virus 1 year after liver transplantation.

Clinical outcomes of recurrent hepatitis C virus after liver transplantation are difficult to predict. We evaluated collagen proportionate area (CPA), a quantitative histological index, at 1 year with respect to the first episode of clinical decompensation. Patients with biopsies at 1 year after liver transplantation were evaluated by Ishak stage/grade, and biopsy samples stained with Sirius red for digital image analysis were evaluated for CPA. Cox regression was used to evaluate variables associated with first appearance of clinical decompensation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also used. A total of 135 patients with median follow-up of 76 months were evaluated. At 1 year, median CPA was 4.6% (0.2%-36%) and Ishak stage was 0-2 in 101 patients, 3-4 in 23 patients, and 5-6 in 11 patients. Decompensation occurred in 26 (19.3%) at a median of 61 months (15-138). Univariately, CPA, tacrolimus monotherapy, and Ishak stage/grade at 1 year were associated with decompensation; upon multivariate analysis, only CPA was associated with decompensation (P = 0.010; Exp(B) = 1.169; 95%CI, 1.037-1.317). Area under the ROC curve was 0.97 (95%CI, 0.94-0.99). A cutoff value of 6% of CPA had 82% sensitivity and 95% specificity for decompensation. In the 89 patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement, similar results were obtained. When both cutoffs of CPA > 6% and HVPG >= 6 mm Hg were used, all patients decompensated. Thus, CPA at 1-year biopsy after liver transplantation was highly predictive of clinical outcome in patients infected with hepatitis C virus who underwent transplantation, better than Ishak stage or HVPG. Liver Transpl 17:178-188, 2011. (C) 2011 AASLD

High-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties for end-member titanite (CaTiSiO 5 )

 The heat capacity of end-member titanite and (CaTiSiO 5 ) glass has been measured in the range 328–938 K using differential scanning calorimetry. The data show a weak λ-shaped anomaly at 483 ± 5 K, presumably associated with the well-known low-pressure P 2 1 /a ⇆  A 2/a transition, in good agreement with previous studies. A value of 0.196 ± 0.007 kJ mol −1 for the enthalpy of the P 2 1 /a ⇆  A 2/a transition was determined by integration of the area under the curve for a temperature interval of 438–528 K, bracketing the anomaly. The heat capacity data for end-member titanite and (CaTiSiO 5 ) glass can be reproduced within <1% using the derived empirical equations (temperature in K, pressure in bars):Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42091/1/269-28-3-167_10280167.pd

Compatibility measurement in collaborative conceptual design

A product consists of various sub-functions elaborated by alternative design principles which results in many combinations. In collaborative design, designers expect that their preferences over the combinations be respected during the combination process of sub-functions, resulting in compatible combinations. We formulate the selection of compatible combinations as a combinatorial problem by: (i) defining a design principle as a list of variables with their domain and direction of designer's preferences, (ii) considering constraints among design principles, (iii) characterizing the compatibility level of combinations. A vacuum cleaner is considered with dust bag, plastic bin or cyclonic design principles for the dust collection sub-function